BV to class CMA CGM gas-powered container ships
With a capacity of 22,000 TEU, the ships are the largest container vessels to be built so far and will each have 18,600m3 of LNG storage on board located in a membrane containment system below the accommodation block. This is the largest volume of LNG bunkers required so far on board any ship and follows detailed feasibility studies undertaken by BV, China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC), and GTT, the containment system specialist.
Speaking as the order was announced, Philippe Donche-Gay, President, Bureau Veritas Marine & Offshore, said: "This is a breakthrough order for gas fuelled shipping – both in scale and in the use of a membrane containment system. Bureau Veritas has been supporting the project throughout, providing assistance to ensure the requirements for the safe use of LNG are addressed."
Chairman and CEO of GTT, Philippe Berterottière, described the order as a game-changer. “It marks the adoption of clean fuels by the container ships’ industry,” he said. “GTT is proud to work side by side with CMA CGM and Hudong Zhonghua within this revolution.”
The nine vessels are to be built at CSSC yards Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding (Group) (five) and Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (four), but the first of these two companies will build the containment systems for all nine ships. They are due for delivery during 2020.
